Ohio State overcomes Asheville, 7-7 big man to move on in NIT

COLUMBUS — Looks like the Buckeyes will have to give up their Bruce Springsteen tickets. Jamar Butler scored 21 points and added 10 assists to lead Ohio State past UNC-Asheville 84-66 on Tuesday night in an NIT first-round game. The Buckeyes advance to host Wednesday’s winner of the New Mexico-California game on Monday night at nearby St. John Arena. The game had to be moved from Ohio State’s Value City Arena, the Buckeyes’ home court, because it is booked for a Springsteen concert on Monday night. “It’s a tough choice. ‘The Boss’ is comin’ to town,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said with a grin. “Maybe we could have a doubleheader. Or maybe we could get him to sing the National Anthem.” Butler was the Buckeyes’ boss on Tuesday night. During one span in the second half, the senior guard scored or assisted on 15 consecutive points for the Buckeyes (20-13), who were passed over by the NCAA tournament a year after finishing as the national runners-up. “Once we lose, we’re done, and that would be my last game in this uniform,” Butler said. “I don’t want that to happen anytime soon. Hopefully we can go on a streak here and get to New York and win this thing.” Othello Hunter had 16 points, Kosta Koufos 15 and David Lighty 13 for the Buckeyes, who shot 56 percent from the field while making their eighth NIT appearance. The victory extended Matta’s string of 20-win seasons. He’s won at least that many in all eight years he’s been a head coach. Reid Augst had 20 points, Bryan Smithson 17 and K.J. Garland 10 for the Bulldogs (23-10), who set a school record for wins while becoming the first Big South Conference team to play in an NIT game. Asheville’s 7-foot-7 Kenny George played well, scoring 12 points with 11 rebounds. He hit 6-of-7 shots from the field, blocked a shot and added an assist in 27 minutes. “He’s a difference-maker that nobody has an answer for,” Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach said. “He came a long way this season.” Koufos, who was dwarfed by George, said he’d never forget his encounters with the giant. “Kenny George is a nice player,” Koufos said. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. I can tell my grandchildren later down the road (that I played against him).” George was the center of attention for most of those in a crowd of 7,117. Kids lined up to slap his back as he left the court, just as the entire arena watched his every move during warmups. “I really don’t pay attention to the crowds,” he said. “But I do appreciate them doing that.” The Buckeyes built a 10-point lead at halftime and then pulled away in the second half. Butler had a hand in all of the scoring in a 15-7 run midway through, scoring 10 points and assisting on a 3-pointer by Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale’s dunk off an inbounds pass for a 70-54 lead. The Bulldogs never threatened again. Matta said he thought the Buckeyes actually played somewhat looser than they had in recent weeks, most likely because the strain of being on the NCAA bubble had finally been removed. “Not that this wasn’t high intensity,” he said. “But it has been maniacal for the last month or so.”